Bird flu has been detected in raw milk sold in California stores, and the state’s Department of Public Health announced Sunday that people should not drink raw milk.
The virus was discovered during testing of a batch of Cream Top whole raw milk from Raw Farm, LLC. In response to the state’s request, the company announced a voluntary recall of batches with a “best before” date of Nov. 27.
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) noted that no one became ill or was infected by this large amount of raw milk. However, “out of an abundance of caution and in view of the continued spread of avian influenza in dairy cattle, poultry, and sporadic human cases, consumers should not consume any affected raw milk.” ” the agency said in a news release.
Unlike most milk sold in stores, raw milk is not pasteurized. Pasteurization is a process that involves heating to high temperatures to kill harmful bacteria and viruses.
Public health officials say consuming raw milk can pose serious health risks, especially for certain vulnerable populations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention encourages people to consume pasteurized milk and dairy products because this process has “significantly reduced milk-borne illnesses” since the early 1900s.
“Outbreaks caused by Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, toxigenic E. coli, Brucella, Campylobacter, and many other bacteria have all been reported in connection with the consumption of raw dairy products,” the California Department of Health Services said. said.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, is a fan of raw milk. Last month, he criticized the Food and Drug Administration’s “aggressive crackdown” on it in X. Actor and health guru Gwyneth Paltrow also said on a podcast earlier this year that she uses Raw Farm cream, the same brand that caused the recall, in her coffee every morning.
The virus was detected by the Santa Clara County Public Health Laboratory while testing one sample of raw milk purchased from a retail store. Such tests are conducted by the laboratory “as a second step in consumer protection,” the release states. This test was then validated by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System.
Following the positive test, the California Department of Food and Agriculture conducted tests at two of Law Farm LLC’s locations, which returned negative results for the virus. CDFA plans to test milk banks for avian influenza twice a week.
The Fresno County-based law firm announced Sunday a voluntary recall of Lot ID #20241109. “All test results conducted by RAW FARM and all official tests by CDFA (California state agency that regulates and tests Raw Farm products) have been negative,” the company said in a short statement. There are no reports of illness. ”
The Law Firm did not respond to requests for comment.
CDPH said drinking or inhaling raw milk contaminated with the avian influenza virus can cause illness. In addition, you can become infected if you touch raw milk contaminated with the avian influenza virus and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands.
The recall comes after California reported 29 confirmed human cases of avian influenza, primarily from cattle, since early October, according to CDPH. Of these cases, 28 had direct contact with infected cattle, all cases were mild symptoms, primarily eye infections, and none required hospitalization.
“No human-to-human transmission of avian influenza has been detected in California or the United States,” the agency said in a statement.
